What we provide
- Support and counselling for individuals living with low vision and their family, partner or caregiver. Sessions available in person or by telephone
- Assistance with vocational adjustment and career planning
- Information about resources and referral to community services
- Advocacy for clients
- Information about programs and services that may provide financial assistance to individuals with low vision
- Smoking Cessation Counselling
Cost
There is no extra cost for up to 6 counselling appointments per year after your low vision assessment. Additional sessions may be added based on need and funding. Fees may apply for longer term counselling or form completion.
Booking an appointment
Returning Patients
If you have already had your Low Vision Assessment at our clinic, just call 519-888-4708 to book an appointment.
New Patients
If you have never been to our clinic please see our intake process. When you complete your Patient Information Form, please indicate that you are interested in counselling or other community resources & supports and we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Our team
We are committed to providing educational & clinical training for optometrists. We also help train professionals in the counselling & social work field who will be able to address the psycho-social concerns that are a common part of vision loss. Appointments are booked with one of our team members listed below.
Melinda Szilva, BA, MTS, CCC, RP
Melinda is a Registered Psychotherapist & a Canadian Certified Counsellor.
Melinda provides clinical supervision to our counselling team. Her career has included working with clients with chronic illness, developmental and physical disabilities, including visual impairments & traumatic brain injuries. She has clinical training & experience in individual, couples & family therapy as well as chaplaincy.
Justine Thompson
Justine Thompson has experience working as a classroom teacher and as a registered educational psychologist in the UK and New Zealand. She holds a teaching credential from the UK (postgraduate certificate in education) and a Master of Educational Psychology from New Zealand. Justine is currently in the final stage of completing a Master of Counseling Psychology at Yorkville University, Canada. She is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
After teaching for several years in both mainstream and special education settings, she chose to specialize in helping young people with learning, behaviour and socio-emotional difficulties and supporting their caregivers. Justine also has extensive experience working with individuals with neurodiversity and exceptionality.
Andre Talbot
Andre Talbot enjoyed a 10-year career as a professional football player in the Canadian Football League. After retiring from the rigors of competition he co-founded the Spirit Loft Movement Centre in Toronto (est. 2011), a community space for movement and mindfulness practice. Additionally, Andre guest coaches in various high-performance spaces serving professional and elite amateur athletes in support of athlete care and wellbeing.
As a senior dharma student in the Zen tradition, he facilitates mindfulness meditation group practice and study, exploring the inner technology of mindful awareness and the teachings of the mindfulness tradition. Andre also spent several years developing and delivering mindfulness-based youth programs within the Toronto District School Board in under-served communities through his work with the New Leaf Foundation.
Andre is completing the MA Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy program at Wilfrid Laurier University/Martin Luther University College. He endeavours to bring a spirit of creativity and compassion in support of client care.
William Maw
William Maw graduated from Conestoga College's Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program in 2018. Thereafter they attended Wilfrid Laurier University for a Bachelors Degree in Psychology that same year. Afterward they transferred to the University of Waterloo, to complete the Renison University College's Undergraduate Honours Social Development Studies program. William is currently working on completing their Bachelors of Social Work at the University Waterloo.